SAMRO reports R630.2m royalty distribution for 2025 financial year

The figure represents a 1.3% increase from the R622.2 million distributed in 2024, according to the organisation’s audited results. SAMRO said the distribution reflects its ongoing role in administering performing rights and ensuring payments to composers, authors and publishers for the use of their works.

“Our responsibility is clear. It is to administer Performing Rights efficiently and to distribute royalties accurately and transparently to our members,” SAMRO CEO Annabell Lebethe said. “This financial performance reflects a stable and improving organisation that is strategically positioned for the future. It continues to deliver for thousands of music creators who rely on these royalties for their livelihoods.”

Lebethe added that the organisation’s financial position had strengthened over the period. “During the period under review, the group’s total assets exceeded its liabilities by R60.2 million, up from R37.4 million in 2024. These are important indicators of institutional strength and prudent financial management,” she said.

SAMRO also reported progress in upgrading its operational systems over the past two financial years. The organisation has introduced an integrated systems environment aimed at improving efficiency and transparency across licensing, finance and royalty distribution processes. A new royalty distribution system was completed in the final quarter of 2024.

“Modern, integrated systems are essential for accurate royalty administration. These upgrades position SAMRO to serve members more efficiently, strengthen transparency across licensing, distributions, and member services, and enhance long-term operational capability,” Lebethe said.

SAMRO represents thousands of music creators in South Africa and internationally, and distributes royalties generated from the public performance of their music.

“We are committed to the collective interests of our members, who rely on us to deliver on our mandate, and we have delivered on that commitment. While public narratives may shift, our focus is firmly on our statutory directive,” she said.

“Therefore, our priority will always be to protect the integrity of the organisation and to ensure that royalty distributions remain consistent, transparent and sustainable.”